Accurately detecting the arrival time of a channel wave in a coal seam is very important for in-seam seismic data processing. The arrival time greatly affects the accuracy of the channel wave inversion and the compute...Accurately detecting the arrival time of a channel wave in a coal seam is very important for in-seam seismic data processing. The arrival time greatly affects the accuracy of the channel wave inversion and the computed tomography (CT) result. However, because the signal-to-noise ratio of in-seam seismic data is reduced by the long wavelength and strong frequency dispersion, accurately timing the arrival of channel waves is extremely difficult. For this purpose, we propose a method that automatically picks up the arrival time of channel waves based on multi-channel constraints. We first estimate the Jaccard similarity coefficient of two ray paths, then apply it as a weight coefficient for stacking the multi- channel dispersion spectra. The reasonableness and effectiveness of the proposed method is verified in an actual data application. Most importantly, the method increases the degree of automation and the pickup precision of the channel-wave arrival time.展开更多
Benzene dimer (bz2) is the simplest prototype of the π-π interactions. Such interactions are ubiquitous in diverse areas of science and molecular engineering. In the present work, we have made assessment on some m...Benzene dimer (bz2) is the simplest prototype of the π-π interactions. Such interactions are ubiquitous in diverse areas of science and molecular engineering. In the present work, we have made assessment on some modern density functional methods including B97-D, BLYP-D3, M06-2X, XYG3, and force field models including CHARMM, AMBER, MM3, AMOEBA on six important interaction modes of bz2. Our results not only highlight the usefulness of these cost-effective methods, which can be used as economic substitutes of the expensive CCSD(T) for complex real-world systems, but also indicate their weakness in the description of the π-π interactions, which points to the future direction for further improvements.展开更多
Marangoni convection and its influence on the mass transter in the liquid phase were investigated. Marangoni convection was visualized using laser Schlieren technique, Orderly polygonal convection patterns and random ...Marangoni convection and its influence on the mass transter in the liquid phase were investigated. Marangoni convection was visualized using laser Schlieren technique, Orderly polygonal convection patterns and random interfacial turbulence were observed. The effect of Marangoni convection on the mass transfer rate was studied by desorbing ethanol from aqneous solution in the falling film. The experimental results show that Marangoni convection can speed up the surface real and enhance the mass transfer rate in the liquid phase.The liquid mass transfer coefficient can be enhanced by as much as 3 folds. The corresponding empirical correlations are given in terms of the mass transfer enhancement factor. Furthermore, in considering the Marangoni effect, the conventional mass transfer correlation was modified, The differences between the values predicted by the correlation and the experimental data are within ±8.2% and the average difference is 4.2%.展开更多
Basing on the direct method developed by Clarkson and Kruskal, the nearly concentric Korteweg-de Vries (ncKdV) equation can be reduced to three types of (1+1)-dimensional variable coefficients partial differentia...Basing on the direct method developed by Clarkson and Kruskal, the nearly concentric Korteweg-de Vries (ncKdV) equation can be reduced to three types of (1+1)-dimensional variable coefficients partial differential equations (PDEs) and three types of variable coefficients ordinary differential equation. Furthermore, three types of (1+1)-dimensional variable coefficients PDEs are all reduced to constant coefficients PDEs by some transformations.展开更多
For a special coupled Korteweg de Vries (KdV) system, its similarity solutions and reduction equations are obtained by the Clarkson and Kruskal's direct method. In addition, its new explicit soliton solutions and t...For a special coupled Korteweg de Vries (KdV) system, its similarity solutions and reduction equations are obtained by the Clarkson and Kruskal's direct method. In addition, its new explicit soliton solutions and traveling wave solutions are found by the deformation and mapping method.展开更多
As the title of this paper suggests, I intend to draw attention to what, in my opinion, lies at the core of the shared notion in both Kant and Habermas. This will be the concern of the first part of my paper. My focus...As the title of this paper suggests, I intend to draw attention to what, in my opinion, lies at the core of the shared notion in both Kant and Habermas. This will be the concern of the first part of my paper. My focus will then shift, in the second part, to Habermas's views on freedom. In due time, however, as the provocative question mark in the title suggests, the notion of freedom becomes questionable. I will conclude by examining Frankfurt's notion of coercion in order to show that Habermas's notion of freedom is not only questionable but can, at times, be coercive. Throughout this paper, the reader shall be encouraged to see and possibly appreciate that there is a degree of similarity between the two thinkers. Shall the reader be hard put to gauge this similarity or shall the reader promptly appreciate it and take it into consideration? I will argue--and demonstrate--that a certain amount of similarity can readily be drawn between the two. I will leave it up to the reader to decide whether this similarity is a forced similarity or whether this is a similarity that one perceives at a first glance and thus ought to consider. This paper could better be appreciated if the reader has reasonable knowledge of the Hegelian critique of Kant's Categorical Imperative.展开更多
This paper presents an ex-ante assessment of the potential implications of the 2011 Human Rights Watch Report on the South African fruit industry. The report explicitly mentions the lack of compliance with ethical cod...This paper presents an ex-ante assessment of the potential implications of the 2011 Human Rights Watch Report on the South African fruit industry. The report explicitly mentions the lack of compliance with ethical codes within the fruit industry, the prevalence of exploitative conditions for farm workers and diverse human rights abuses in farms. The report recommends import ban on culprits as well as engaging third party auditing to ensure compliance. The high vulnerability of the smallholder farmers justified the special interest in the implications on their reputation and hence their ability to access profitable export markets. Although large-scale commercial farmers are potentially at risk of reputational damage due to the Human Rights Watch Report, they are better able to cope owing to their stronger capital base. The opinions of knowledgeable industry insiders were therefore elicited through qualitative research that used a five-point Likert scale to assess perceptions about market access. On the basis of the results, it is probable that the report will lead to improved working conditions for farm workers, improved concern for consumers' health, and enforcement of legislation by the govemment. The negative implications involve increased competition, possibility of retailers' rationalising their supply base and increased evaluation that ends at the farm gate. There is also high probability of increased marginalisation of the already disadvantaged smallholder suppliers, and possible increase in costs of auditing and accreditation for the entire fruit industry. Thus, active collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the competitiveness of the fruit industry is inevitable.展开更多
In this paper, Killing vectors of spherically spacetimes have been evaluated in the context of teleparallel theory of gravitation. Further, we investigate the Killing vectors of the Friedmann metrics. It is found that...In this paper, Killing vectors of spherically spacetimes have been evaluated in the context of teleparallel theory of gravitation. Further, we investigate the Killing vectors of the Friedmann metrics. It is found that for static spherically spacetimes the number of Killing vectors turns out to be seven while for the Friedmann models, we obtain six teleparallel Killing vectors. The results are then compared with those of General Relativity. We conclude that both of these descriptions of gravity do not provide the consistent results in general. However, these results may coincide under certain conditions for a particular spacetime.展开更多
This article is motivated by the predicament that hit pensioners in Zimbabwe following the introduction of the multi-currency system. Zimbabwe experienced economic woes which rendered the Zimbabwean dollar worthless a...This article is motivated by the predicament that hit pensioners in Zimbabwe following the introduction of the multi-currency system. Zimbabwe experienced economic woes which rendered the Zimbabwean dollar worthless and consequently necessitating a switch to stable currencies. The pension assets and liabilities were invested in the local currency before the currency reform, and the result of the multi-currency system was a mismatch of the assets and liabilities of the pension funds financial position which led to paltry pension benefits. The nature of pension funds places a great responsibility on the stakeholders who are involved in running these schemes and therefore ensuring that reasonable expectation by beneficiaries is met. The article focuses on the core aspects surrounding the structure and managing of pension funds in Zimbabwe. The researcher investigated the roles of important stakeholders in the Zimbabwean pension industry, namely, government, trustees, investment managers, and actuaries. The article further delves into the ethical issues and challenges faced by those managing Zimbabwean pension funds. The researcher conducted a total of 30 personal interviews to collect primary data from professionals in the Zimbabwean pension industry which were split as follows: 10 trustees, 10 investment managers, and 10 actuarial consultants. Secondary data were also used in this study and it comprised of journals, newspaper articles, investment reports, and textbooks. The researcher recommends that pension funds develop sound corporate governance mechanisms that will encourage the best ethical practices among all of their stakeholders. The findings provide evidence for a need to empower pension fund trustees through training and introduction of a pension protection scheme. In addition, the current regulatory system needs to be reviewed to capture the changing economic environment upon which pensions funds operate.展开更多
The spectra of Rydberg hydrogen atom in magnetic fields have been calculated using linear variational method with B-splines basis functions [Acta Phys. Sin. 55 (2006) 3380]. Based on these calculations we have done...The spectra of Rydberg hydrogen atom in magnetic fields have been calculated using linear variational method with B-splines basis functions [Acta Phys. Sin. 55 (2006) 3380]. Based on these calculations we have done some statistics analysis about the high Rydberg energy levels. The nearest-neighbor energy spacing distribution and the 3-statistics have been shown about diamagnetic Rydberg hydrogen atom with the magnetic field being 0.6 T and 6 T. The phenomena of multiply crossing, multiply anti-crossing, and the mixed of crossing and anti-crossing of energy levels have appeared in this paper. For both cases, in range of lower energy, the energy 1evel statistics properties close to Poisson distribution. With the increasing of the energy, the energy level statistics properties are away to Poisson distribution and tend to Wigner distribution step by step.展开更多
We present a comparative study of the ground state of the one-dimensional Hubbard model. We first use a new fermion coherent state method in the framework of Fermi liquid theory by introducing a hole operator and cons...We present a comparative study of the ground state of the one-dimensional Hubbard model. We first use a new fermion coherent state method in the framework of Fermi liquid theory by introducing a hole operator and considering the interactions of two pairs electrons and holes. We construct the ground state of the Hubbard model as |〉=[f+∑^tφk1σ1hk2σ2ck3σ3hk4σ4 ∏exp(ρck1σ1 hk2σ2)]|〉0,where φ and ρ are the coupling constants. Our results are then compared to those of varlational methods, density functional theory based on the exact solvable Bethe ansatz solutions, variational Monto-Carlo method (VMC) as well as to the exact result of the infinite system. We find satisfactory agreement between the fermion coherent state scheme and the VMC data, and provide a new picture to deal with the strongly correlated system.展开更多
Nanoscale spatial heterogeneity in ionic liquids is formed by the aggregation of cationic tail groups. The electrostatic interactions between polar groups and the collective van der Waals interactions between nonpolar...Nanoscale spatial heterogeneity in ionic liquids is formed by the aggregation of cationic tail groups. The electrostatic interactions between polar groups and the collective van der Waals interactions between nonpolar tail groups both contribute to the formation of tail domains, but the degrees of their contributions were unknown. In this work, by applying a strong external electric field to effectively overpower the electrostatic interactions between polar groups, we have determined that the tail aggregation is majorly attributed to the electrostatic interactions and the van der Waals interactions only have minor influence on the spatial heterogeneity phenomenon of ionic liquids.展开更多
In the architecture of leadership, organizations continuously seek those in leadership positions who can demonstrate a correlation between good behavior and personality construct (Gautam 2009). Behavioral integrity ...In the architecture of leadership, organizations continuously seek those in leadership positions who can demonstrate a correlation between good behavior and personality construct (Gautam 2009). Behavioral integrity is centered on how leaders and followers can build relationships by focusing on honesty, trust, respect and being ethical towards meeting both internal and external stakeholder needs. The ethical abilities of leaders and followers determine how they are able to move an organization's strategy and goals into creating innovation and remaining on the competitive edge (Velthouse & Kandogan 2007). The behavioral integrity of leaders towards followers determines the performance level and creativity of followers. The behavioral integrity of followers is strongly based on the relationship they have with their leaders and the way in which leaders motivate and add value to followers by encouraging honest innovation that will add value to the overall strategy of an organization. Today's leaders need to foster good behavior and ethical value to improve the relationship between them and their followers (Hartman 1997). This paper is centered on behavioral integrity and will analyze the role of strategy, innovation, and vision on both leaders and followers.展开更多
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming more and more frequently emphasized part of management in the structure of Polish enterprises. These results from the fact that growing awareness of consumers, destr...Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming more and more frequently emphasized part of management in the structure of Polish enterprises. These results from the fact that growing awareness of consumers, destructive impact of industry on the natural environment, economic scandals, unethical behavior among entrepreneurs, bring about redefining the principles of a business activity on the market by entrepreneurs. As a result of the above, such values as honesty, trust, or responsibility take on greater importance. Additionally, more and more often, Polish entrepreneurs pay attention to the influence of the company on the environment, the way the stakeholders are treated, while striving to maximize profit. The present paper looks into the subject of social responsibility from the point of view of Polish enterprises. To verify this objective, there was the analysis of the due literature performed, and also carried out the survey among 174 entrepreneurs running their business activity in the area of Southern Poland. The research tool used in the research was the questionnaire (PAPI and CAWI). In the conducted research, there were factors analyzed referring to knowledge of social responsibility among the people holding both managerial and lower-level positions, in particular opinion, is it important for enterprises to be driven by ethical standards? How to implement CSR in their structures? How to understood concept of CSR? What are the reasons for the implementation of CSR in the strategy of the company? The considerations (both the theoretical and practical ones) confirmed that the Polish enterprises feel the increased need to implement the activities in the field of social responsibility, which, in the present conditions, constitutes an important part of running a business activity.展开更多
The henipaviruses,represented by Nipah virus and Hendra virus,are emerging zoonotic viral pathogens responsible for repeated outbreaks associated with high morbidity and mortality in Australia,Southeast Asia,India and...The henipaviruses,represented by Nipah virus and Hendra virus,are emerging zoonotic viral pathogens responsible for repeated outbreaks associated with high morbidity and mortality in Australia,Southeast Asia,India and Bangladesh. These viruses enter host cells via a class I viral fusion mechanism mediated by their attachment and fusion envelope glycoproteins;efficient membrane fusion requires both these glycoproteins in conjunction with specific virus receptors present on susceptible host cells. The henipavirus attachment glycoprotein interacts with a cellular B class ephrin protein receptor triggering conformational alterations leading to the activation of the viral fusion(F) glycoprotein. The analysis of monoclonal antibody(mAb) reactivity with G has revealed measurable alterations in the antigenic structure of the glycoprotein following its binding interaction with receptor. These observations only appear to occur with full-length native G glycoprotein,which is a tetrameric oligomer,and not with soluble forms of G(sG) ,which are disulfide-linked dimers. Single amino acid mutations in a heptad repeat-like structure within the stalk domain of G can disrupt its association with F and subsequent membrane fusion promotion activity. Notably,these mutants of G also appear to confer a post-receptor bound conformation implicating the stalk domain as an important element in the G glycoprotein's structure and functional relationship with F. Together,these observations suggest fusion is dependent on a specific interaction between the F and G glycoproteins of the henipaviruses. Further,receptor binding induces measurable changes in the G glycoprotein that appear to be greatest in respect to the interactions between the pairs of dimers comprising its native tetrameric structure. These receptor-induced conformational changes may be associated with the G glycoprotein's promotion of the fusion activity of F.展开更多
This paper discusses the model construction and the association between the Italy and the Germany's stock markets. The period of study data is from January 3, 2000 to June 30, 2008. This paper also utilizes Student'...This paper discusses the model construction and the association between the Italy and the Germany's stock markets. The period of study data is from January 3, 2000 to June 30, 2008. This paper also utilizes Student's t distribution to analyze the proposed model. The empirical results show that the two stock markets are mutually affected each other, and the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) and the bivariate asymmetric-GARCH (1, 2) model is appropriate in evaluating the relation between them. The empirical result also indicates that Italy and Germany's stock markets show a positive relationship. The average value of correlation coefficient equals to 0.8424, which implies that the two stock markets return volatility have a synchronized influence on each other. In addition, the empirical result also shows that there is an asymmetrical effect between Italy and the Germany's stock markets, and demonstrates that the good news and bad news of the stock returns' volatility will produce the different variation risks for Italy and the Germany's stock price markets.展开更多
The increased use of scarce metals in combination with climate changes pave way for extensive extraction of mineral resources in Greenland. The focus of this study is on environmental ethical aspects of mining activit...The increased use of scarce metals in combination with climate changes pave way for extensive extraction of mineral resources in Greenland. The focus of this study is on environmental ethical aspects of mining activities in a vulnerable and unspoiled arctic nature. Mining can have several economic and social benefits for Greenland. On the other hand, the environmental impacts from mining are well known. Through DPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, Responses) and Stakeholder analysis, we assess how future mining in Greenland can be sustainably implemented. The analysis revealed that numerous stakeholders have to be taken into consideration with a wide range of different interests. The DPSIR analysis clarified the availability of various potential political responses that could affect the drivers, pressures, states and impacts of mining mainly focused on implementation of effective environmental regulation strategies. Our findings revealed different environmental ethical dilemmas of which the most critical is how Greenland can open up for mining, gain economical revenue while averting destruction of unspoiled regions and aesthetic impairment. We recommend strict environmental legislation involving use of the "polluter pay principle", continuous monitoring of pollution and establishment of an industry-funded catastrophe trust fund. These initiatives can ensure economic benefits while environmental impacts remain negligible.展开更多
This paper explores the connection between company director membership of a professional institute of directors and the financial performance of their companies. Prior research has established links between various go...This paper explores the connection between company director membership of a professional institute of directors and the financial performance of their companies. Prior research has established links between various governance variables and financial performance, and this study extends this work to the realm of professional directors. It is timely in New Zealand to ask whether directors need to be members of a professional body as the financial markets authority is now prosecuting directors of failed companies and has promulgated new regulations concerning the offering of financial advice. Would directors who are bound by an ethics code and committed to ongoing professional development be good for shareholders? The issue whether membership enhances financial performance is addressed in this paper. An ordinary least square regression was employed and a statistically significant positive relationship among boards that had institute of director (IOD) members and financial performance was found.展开更多
基金supported by the National Major Scientific and Technological Special Project during the 13th Five-year Plan Period(No.2016ZX05045003-005)
文摘Accurately detecting the arrival time of a channel wave in a coal seam is very important for in-seam seismic data processing. The arrival time greatly affects the accuracy of the channel wave inversion and the computed tomography (CT) result. However, because the signal-to-noise ratio of in-seam seismic data is reduced by the long wavelength and strong frequency dispersion, accurately timing the arrival of channel waves is extremely difficult. For this purpose, we propose a method that automatically picks up the arrival time of channel waves based on multi-channel constraints. We first estimate the Jaccard similarity coefficient of two ray paths, then apply it as a weight coefficient for stacking the multi- channel dispersion spectra. The reasonableness and effectiveness of the proposed method is verified in an actual data application. Most importantly, the method increases the degree of automation and the pickup precision of the channel-wave arrival time.
基金Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.91027044) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (No.2011CB808505).
文摘Benzene dimer (bz2) is the simplest prototype of the π-π interactions. Such interactions are ubiquitous in diverse areas of science and molecular engineering. In the present work, we have made assessment on some modern density functional methods including B97-D, BLYP-D3, M06-2X, XYG3, and force field models including CHARMM, AMBER, MM3, AMOEBA on six important interaction modes of bz2. Our results not only highlight the usefulness of these cost-effective methods, which can be used as economic substitutes of the expensive CCSD(T) for complex real-world systems, but also indicate their weakness in the description of the π-π interactions, which points to the future direction for further improvements.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.20136010).
文摘Marangoni convection and its influence on the mass transter in the liquid phase were investigated. Marangoni convection was visualized using laser Schlieren technique, Orderly polygonal convection patterns and random interfacial turbulence were observed. The effect of Marangoni convection on the mass transfer rate was studied by desorbing ethanol from aqneous solution in the falling film. The experimental results show that Marangoni convection can speed up the surface real and enhance the mass transfer rate in the liquid phase.The liquid mass transfer coefficient can be enhanced by as much as 3 folds. The corresponding empirical correlations are given in terms of the mass transfer enhancement factor. Furthermore, in considering the Marangoni effect, the conventional mass transfer correlation was modified, The differences between the values predicted by the correlation and the experimental data are within ±8.2% and the average difference is 4.2%.
基金Supported by K.C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University, NSF of China under Grant Nos. 10747141 and 10735030Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundations of China under Grant No. 605408the Ningbo Natural Science Foundation under Grant Nos. 2007A610049 and 2006A610093
文摘Basing on the direct method developed by Clarkson and Kruskal, the nearly concentric Korteweg-de Vries (ncKdV) equation can be reduced to three types of (1+1)-dimensional variable coefficients partial differential equations (PDEs) and three types of variable coefficients ordinary differential equation. Furthermore, three types of (1+1)-dimensional variable coefficients PDEs are all reduced to constant coefficients PDEs by some transformations.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundations of Jiangxi Province under Grant Nos. 2008GZS0045 and 2009GZW0026
文摘For a special coupled Korteweg de Vries (KdV) system, its similarity solutions and reduction equations are obtained by the Clarkson and Kruskal's direct method. In addition, its new explicit soliton solutions and traveling wave solutions are found by the deformation and mapping method.
文摘As the title of this paper suggests, I intend to draw attention to what, in my opinion, lies at the core of the shared notion in both Kant and Habermas. This will be the concern of the first part of my paper. My focus will then shift, in the second part, to Habermas's views on freedom. In due time, however, as the provocative question mark in the title suggests, the notion of freedom becomes questionable. I will conclude by examining Frankfurt's notion of coercion in order to show that Habermas's notion of freedom is not only questionable but can, at times, be coercive. Throughout this paper, the reader shall be encouraged to see and possibly appreciate that there is a degree of similarity between the two thinkers. Shall the reader be hard put to gauge this similarity or shall the reader promptly appreciate it and take it into consideration? I will argue--and demonstrate--that a certain amount of similarity can readily be drawn between the two. I will leave it up to the reader to decide whether this similarity is a forced similarity or whether this is a similarity that one perceives at a first glance and thus ought to consider. This paper could better be appreciated if the reader has reasonable knowledge of the Hegelian critique of Kant's Categorical Imperative.
文摘This paper presents an ex-ante assessment of the potential implications of the 2011 Human Rights Watch Report on the South African fruit industry. The report explicitly mentions the lack of compliance with ethical codes within the fruit industry, the prevalence of exploitative conditions for farm workers and diverse human rights abuses in farms. The report recommends import ban on culprits as well as engaging third party auditing to ensure compliance. The high vulnerability of the smallholder farmers justified the special interest in the implications on their reputation and hence their ability to access profitable export markets. Although large-scale commercial farmers are potentially at risk of reputational damage due to the Human Rights Watch Report, they are better able to cope owing to their stronger capital base. The opinions of knowledgeable industry insiders were therefore elicited through qualitative research that used a five-point Likert scale to assess perceptions about market access. On the basis of the results, it is probable that the report will lead to improved working conditions for farm workers, improved concern for consumers' health, and enforcement of legislation by the govemment. The negative implications involve increased competition, possibility of retailers' rationalising their supply base and increased evaluation that ends at the farm gate. There is also high probability of increased marginalisation of the already disadvantaged smallholder suppliers, and possible increase in costs of auditing and accreditation for the entire fruit industry. Thus, active collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the competitiveness of the fruit industry is inevitable.
文摘In this paper, Killing vectors of spherically spacetimes have been evaluated in the context of teleparallel theory of gravitation. Further, we investigate the Killing vectors of the Friedmann metrics. It is found that for static spherically spacetimes the number of Killing vectors turns out to be seven while for the Friedmann models, we obtain six teleparallel Killing vectors. The results are then compared with those of General Relativity. We conclude that both of these descriptions of gravity do not provide the consistent results in general. However, these results may coincide under certain conditions for a particular spacetime.
文摘This article is motivated by the predicament that hit pensioners in Zimbabwe following the introduction of the multi-currency system. Zimbabwe experienced economic woes which rendered the Zimbabwean dollar worthless and consequently necessitating a switch to stable currencies. The pension assets and liabilities were invested in the local currency before the currency reform, and the result of the multi-currency system was a mismatch of the assets and liabilities of the pension funds financial position which led to paltry pension benefits. The nature of pension funds places a great responsibility on the stakeholders who are involved in running these schemes and therefore ensuring that reasonable expectation by beneficiaries is met. The article focuses on the core aspects surrounding the structure and managing of pension funds in Zimbabwe. The researcher investigated the roles of important stakeholders in the Zimbabwean pension industry, namely, government, trustees, investment managers, and actuaries. The article further delves into the ethical issues and challenges faced by those managing Zimbabwean pension funds. The researcher conducted a total of 30 personal interviews to collect primary data from professionals in the Zimbabwean pension industry which were split as follows: 10 trustees, 10 investment managers, and 10 actuarial consultants. Secondary data were also used in this study and it comprised of journals, newspaper articles, investment reports, and textbooks. The researcher recommends that pension funds develop sound corporate governance mechanisms that will encourage the best ethical practices among all of their stakeholders. The findings provide evidence for a need to empower pension fund trustees through training and introduction of a pension protection scheme. In addition, the current regulatory system needs to be reviewed to capture the changing economic environment upon which pensions funds operate.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.10774042
文摘The spectra of Rydberg hydrogen atom in magnetic fields have been calculated using linear variational method with B-splines basis functions [Acta Phys. Sin. 55 (2006) 3380]. Based on these calculations we have done some statistics analysis about the high Rydberg energy levels. The nearest-neighbor energy spacing distribution and the 3-statistics have been shown about diamagnetic Rydberg hydrogen atom with the magnetic field being 0.6 T and 6 T. The phenomena of multiply crossing, multiply anti-crossing, and the mixed of crossing and anti-crossing of energy levels have appeared in this paper. For both cases, in range of lower energy, the energy 1evel statistics properties close to Poisson distribution. With the increasing of the energy, the energy level statistics properties are away to Poisson distribution and tend to Wigner distribution step by step.
基金The project supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 10575087 We gratefully acknowledge Dr. H. Jeshker at Freie Universitgt Berlin for his valuable discussions. Thanks are also given to the center 0f Nonlinear Science for providing the powerful sG~ 02000 Computer.
文摘We present a comparative study of the ground state of the one-dimensional Hubbard model. We first use a new fermion coherent state method in the framework of Fermi liquid theory by introducing a hole operator and considering the interactions of two pairs electrons and holes. We construct the ground state of the Hubbard model as |〉=[f+∑^tφk1σ1hk2σ2ck3σ3hk4σ4 ∏exp(ρck1σ1 hk2σ2)]|〉0,where φ and ρ are the coupling constants. Our results are then compared to those of varlational methods, density functional theory based on the exact solvable Bethe ansatz solutions, variational Monto-Carlo method (VMC) as well as to the exact result of the infinite system. We find satisfactory agreement between the fermion coherent state scheme and the VMC data, and provide a new picture to deal with the strongly correlated system.
基金Supported by the Hundred Talent Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciencesthe General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 10974208
文摘Nanoscale spatial heterogeneity in ionic liquids is formed by the aggregation of cationic tail groups. The electrostatic interactions between polar groups and the collective van der Waals interactions between nonpolar tail groups both contribute to the formation of tail domains, but the degrees of their contributions were unknown. In this work, by applying a strong external electric field to effectively overpower the electrostatic interactions between polar groups, we have determined that the tail aggregation is majorly attributed to the electrostatic interactions and the van der Waals interactions only have minor influence on the spatial heterogeneity phenomenon of ionic liquids.
文摘In the architecture of leadership, organizations continuously seek those in leadership positions who can demonstrate a correlation between good behavior and personality construct (Gautam 2009). Behavioral integrity is centered on how leaders and followers can build relationships by focusing on honesty, trust, respect and being ethical towards meeting both internal and external stakeholder needs. The ethical abilities of leaders and followers determine how they are able to move an organization's strategy and goals into creating innovation and remaining on the competitive edge (Velthouse & Kandogan 2007). The behavioral integrity of leaders towards followers determines the performance level and creativity of followers. The behavioral integrity of followers is strongly based on the relationship they have with their leaders and the way in which leaders motivate and add value to followers by encouraging honest innovation that will add value to the overall strategy of an organization. Today's leaders need to foster good behavior and ethical value to improve the relationship between them and their followers (Hartman 1997). This paper is centered on behavioral integrity and will analyze the role of strategy, innovation, and vision on both leaders and followers.
文摘Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming more and more frequently emphasized part of management in the structure of Polish enterprises. These results from the fact that growing awareness of consumers, destructive impact of industry on the natural environment, economic scandals, unethical behavior among entrepreneurs, bring about redefining the principles of a business activity on the market by entrepreneurs. As a result of the above, such values as honesty, trust, or responsibility take on greater importance. Additionally, more and more often, Polish entrepreneurs pay attention to the influence of the company on the environment, the way the stakeholders are treated, while striving to maximize profit. The present paper looks into the subject of social responsibility from the point of view of Polish enterprises. To verify this objective, there was the analysis of the due literature performed, and also carried out the survey among 174 entrepreneurs running their business activity in the area of Southern Poland. The research tool used in the research was the questionnaire (PAPI and CAWI). In the conducted research, there were factors analyzed referring to knowledge of social responsibility among the people holding both managerial and lower-level positions, in particular opinion, is it important for enterprises to be driven by ethical standards? How to implement CSR in their structures? How to understood concept of CSR? What are the reasons for the implementation of CSR in the strategy of the company? The considerations (both the theoretical and practical ones) confirmed that the Polish enterprises feel the increased need to implement the activities in the field of social responsibility, which, in the present conditions, constitutes an important part of running a business activity.
基金supported in part by NIH grant AI054715 to C.C.B.
文摘The henipaviruses,represented by Nipah virus and Hendra virus,are emerging zoonotic viral pathogens responsible for repeated outbreaks associated with high morbidity and mortality in Australia,Southeast Asia,India and Bangladesh. These viruses enter host cells via a class I viral fusion mechanism mediated by their attachment and fusion envelope glycoproteins;efficient membrane fusion requires both these glycoproteins in conjunction with specific virus receptors present on susceptible host cells. The henipavirus attachment glycoprotein interacts with a cellular B class ephrin protein receptor triggering conformational alterations leading to the activation of the viral fusion(F) glycoprotein. The analysis of monoclonal antibody(mAb) reactivity with G has revealed measurable alterations in the antigenic structure of the glycoprotein following its binding interaction with receptor. These observations only appear to occur with full-length native G glycoprotein,which is a tetrameric oligomer,and not with soluble forms of G(sG) ,which are disulfide-linked dimers. Single amino acid mutations in a heptad repeat-like structure within the stalk domain of G can disrupt its association with F and subsequent membrane fusion promotion activity. Notably,these mutants of G also appear to confer a post-receptor bound conformation implicating the stalk domain as an important element in the G glycoprotein's structure and functional relationship with F. Together,these observations suggest fusion is dependent on a specific interaction between the F and G glycoproteins of the henipaviruses. Further,receptor binding induces measurable changes in the G glycoprotein that appear to be greatest in respect to the interactions between the pairs of dimers comprising its native tetrameric structure. These receptor-induced conformational changes may be associated with the G glycoprotein's promotion of the fusion activity of F.
文摘This paper discusses the model construction and the association between the Italy and the Germany's stock markets. The period of study data is from January 3, 2000 to June 30, 2008. This paper also utilizes Student's t distribution to analyze the proposed model. The empirical results show that the two stock markets are mutually affected each other, and the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) and the bivariate asymmetric-GARCH (1, 2) model is appropriate in evaluating the relation between them. The empirical result also indicates that Italy and Germany's stock markets show a positive relationship. The average value of correlation coefficient equals to 0.8424, which implies that the two stock markets return volatility have a synchronized influence on each other. In addition, the empirical result also shows that there is an asymmetrical effect between Italy and the Germany's stock markets, and demonstrates that the good news and bad news of the stock returns' volatility will produce the different variation risks for Italy and the Germany's stock price markets.
文摘The increased use of scarce metals in combination with climate changes pave way for extensive extraction of mineral resources in Greenland. The focus of this study is on environmental ethical aspects of mining activities in a vulnerable and unspoiled arctic nature. Mining can have several economic and social benefits for Greenland. On the other hand, the environmental impacts from mining are well known. Through DPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, Responses) and Stakeholder analysis, we assess how future mining in Greenland can be sustainably implemented. The analysis revealed that numerous stakeholders have to be taken into consideration with a wide range of different interests. The DPSIR analysis clarified the availability of various potential political responses that could affect the drivers, pressures, states and impacts of mining mainly focused on implementation of effective environmental regulation strategies. Our findings revealed different environmental ethical dilemmas of which the most critical is how Greenland can open up for mining, gain economical revenue while averting destruction of unspoiled regions and aesthetic impairment. We recommend strict environmental legislation involving use of the "polluter pay principle", continuous monitoring of pollution and establishment of an industry-funded catastrophe trust fund. These initiatives can ensure economic benefits while environmental impacts remain negligible.
文摘This paper explores the connection between company director membership of a professional institute of directors and the financial performance of their companies. Prior research has established links between various governance variables and financial performance, and this study extends this work to the realm of professional directors. It is timely in New Zealand to ask whether directors need to be members of a professional body as the financial markets authority is now prosecuting directors of failed companies and has promulgated new regulations concerning the offering of financial advice. Would directors who are bound by an ethics code and committed to ongoing professional development be good for shareholders? The issue whether membership enhances financial performance is addressed in this paper. An ordinary least square regression was employed and a statistically significant positive relationship among boards that had institute of director (IOD) members and financial performance was found.